HelpAge India launches SOS app to assist senior citizens

The app, besides being a one stop source of important contacts, will also help senior citizens connect with each other.

[REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE] HelpAge India, a non-profit organization has launched a mobile application SOS (Save our Seniors) to help the elderly population of the country. pICTURED:Mitashi Play Senior, android smartphone for senior citizensMitashi

HelpAge India, a non-profit organization, has launched a mobile application SOS (Save our Seniors) to help the elderly population of the country.

The app that can be downloaded free of cost is a one stop source of information pertaining to the legal rights of senior citizens, police protection, financial planning, discounts for the elderly in nearby markets and a way to stay connected with other people in the network.

The app also provides useful helpline numbers to the elderly in distress.

"It took three months for us to bring out the first-of-its-kind technological solution for seniors. The 38-year-long association with the community aided us to come up with the app, covering a wide range of components to help them be more independent," L. Mrinal Srikanth, liaison manager, HelpAge India, Andhra Pradesh, was quoted by the Hindu as saying.

He added that the app is functional all over India and would have more features soon.

The app can be downloaded from Google Play Store available on android phones.

HelpAge India conducted a survey in 2015 across various Indian cities, which revealed that a majority of youth (73 percent) believed that elder abuse existed in the country. Nearly 60 percent of the youth who participated in the survey said that they would be ready to help if they see an incident of elder abuse. However, the youth from cities such as Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad said they are not willing to help, the Economic Times reported.

As per the official figures, India is expected to witness a rapid increase in its elderly population. The population of people above the age of 75 years is likely to increase by 340 percent between 2011-2050, according to the health ministry. The number of people above the age of 60 years is projected to be 340 million by 2050. According to the 2011 census, India's elderly population (above the age of 60 years) accounted for 8.6 percent of its total population.